No Script, Joshua Will Swiftly Knock Paul Out - Hearn States
I've got no genuine justification for Anthony Joshua vs. Paul. It's crazy the fact it's taking place and I feel the skeptics are spot on.
But, we just couldn't refuse it. No fighter in their right mind would have declined. Anybody claiming they'd refuse are utterly dishonest through their teeth.
We took a bout that we think is quite simple, will provide AJ a massive presence in the United States and among his career-high paydays.
The Strategy Behind This Bout
Anthony Joshua was set to have a tune-up bout this November in Saudi Arabia - an eight-round contest against an opponent ranked around 100th in the heavyweight division.
This was a chance to wrap the hands with his new coaching staff, make the ringwalk and go through the motions. Currently, we're doing that exact tune-up however for about 50 times more purse.
We have an obvious strategy in mind - to stop Jake Paul out as soon as possible. Then, we return to regular business resuming next year.
Joshua will box versus a top-tier opponent next February and - should things go to plan - he will then fight Tyson Fury.
Therefore there's a method behind this craziness and accepting this bout does not affect Joshua's legacy. But a loss against Paul or it even going the full distance certainly would.
It would be an absolute disaster and terribly humiliating.
This Bout Is Definitely Not Pre-Arranged
A great many individuals have asked me asking whether it's fixed. First of all, we'd be investigated by authorities if it was. That would be against the law. This is a professional fight and an officially sanctioned match where people are betting.
And do you think I would ever allow AJ to have a pre-written plan with Jake Paul? A plan in which we might lose or even make him look bad? No way.
We are certainly not providing this guy an advantage or a chance to say "told you I am superior to AJ" or "I won rounds". That would be catastrophic for Anthony Joshua and we will not risk that.
Public Pressure for a Quick Knockout
Then there are those who say if AJ doesn't stop him inside the first round then it is a disgrace.
He is expected to dominate this opponent however, goodness, give him two to three rounds just in case. Since Jake's approach will reflect on the pace of destruction.
If he gets brave, it will end quickly. But if he fights on the back foot and trying to clinch and jab and move, then he may survive a few rounds.
We're not going to see AJ run across the ring in the first few seconds and start windmilling.
Just like his approach against Francis Ngannou, he will go into the ring, measure him up and then go in with his power shots.
Paul Can Whack a Little Bit
I've heard figures like Roy Jones Jr and Teddy Atlas stating you cannot dismiss Jake Paul in this bout. Am I going crazy here Is there something they're seeing that I'm not?
Let's get something right - Jake is a pro fighter. I believe he is a respectable 200-pound fighter - ranked in the top 70 globally.
This is not a guy that has not put on boxing gloves before. He can whack a little bit. He spars Lawrence Okolie and top-ten heavyweights.
Putting aside the victory against Tyson, who was then well past his prime, Jake defeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr - who may have been a faded fighter but was hardly a complete mug.
He trained for the fight and was a former titleholder who went the distance with Canelo Alvarez and came close to stopping Sergio Martinez late in the fight.
So I actually credit Jake for training hard and demonstrating respect for the sport , and he has done a great deal for female boxing through his promotion company.
Yet in spite of his self-belief, zeal, commitment and enhanced ability, he ought to be being knocked out by Joshua.
Once Joshua Connects, It's Over
Paul and his camp are banking on a lot of factors. Hoping AJ underestimates them, banking on AJ is past his best, hoping AJ's lack of activity will be a factor, banking on AJ is low in confidence, banking on AJ's durability isn't what it once was.
But, unfortunately for them, AJ is extremely focused. He's had a camp and he is preparing as if he's fighting Usyk or in a potential Daniel Dubois second fight.
I anticipate my fighter to win inside two rounds with a brutal knockout.
A shot to Jake to the body and it could break his rib cage and he wouldn't be able to rise.
If he hits him clean, he will knock him to sleep. Or could intervene.
We don't know how it could play out however with the way AJ throws punches - with the speed and power - as soon as Jake is hit on the chin, the contest will end.
Then the focus returns to AJ's two goals he aims to accomplish in the time of his career in boxing - to face Fury and to be crowned a three-time world heavyweight champion.
